Bluebird 2008 Rugby Superstars

 Issuer: Bluebird

Earliest date known: Early 2008

Short Title: 2008 Rugby Superstars

Full Title: Bluebird 2008 Rugby Superstars

Number in set: 50 normal plus 50 gold (+ 3 withdrawn cards).

Size: 50mm wide x 60mm high with rounded corners.

Details: Issued in packs of Bluebird chips. Album also available see extract from www.bluebird.co.nz below. Cards are numbered on the back in very small print (you'll probably need a magnifying glass to see it). Gold versions are also available in specially marked packs; odds of finding one is one in three packs.

Errors noted are Chris King gold card with inverted holographic images (see scan below) and a badly miscut card showing about 50% of two different cards.

Three cards were withdrawn and replaced by other cards of the same number. A limited number of the withdrawn cards did however make it into packs (see scans below) but most were scratched before issue. The withdrawn cards are:
Close-up of back showing card number.
1. Anthony Tuitavake 2. Ben Atiga 3. Isa Nacewa 4. Isaia Toeava 5. Jerome Kaino
6. Joe Rokocoko 7. John Afoa 8. Keven Mealamu 9. Rudi Wulf 10. Troy Flavell
11. Brendon Leonard 12. Lelia Masaga 13. Liam Messam 14. Malili Muliaina 15. Richard Kahui
16. Sione Lauaki 17. Sitiveni Sivivatu 18. Sosene Anesi 19. Stephen Donald 20. Tasesa Lavea
21. Andrew Ellis 22. Casey Laulala 23. Corey Flynn 24. Daniel Carter 25. Kieran Read
26. Leon MacDonald 27. Richie McCaw 28. Ross Filipo 29. Scott Hamilton 30. Stephen Brett
31. Aaron Bancroft 32. Alando Soakai 33. Chris King 34. Craig Newby 35. Ezra Taylor
36. James Wilson 37. Hoani MacDonald 38. Jimmy Cowan 39. Lucky Mulipola 40. Tom Donnelly
41. Andrew Hore 42. Chris Masoe 43. Conrad Smith 44. Cory Jane 45. Hosea Gear
46. Jason Eaton 47. Jerry Collins 48. Jimmy Gopperth 49. Piri Weepu 50. Rodney SO'Dialo
Enlarged selection of cards (front)
Enlarged selection of cards (back)
Withdrawn card #12 - Keith Robinson. Withdrawn card #33 - Callum Bruce. Withdrawn card #39 - Matt Saunders.
Inverted hologram - Chris King.
Publicity band from front of multi-packs Publicity band from front of multi-packs=gold
page from www.bluebird.co.nz
page from www.bluebird.co.nz